Well-written and worth the read for no (or low) sex drive obstacles. I think the "five gears" concept mentioned in #8 can be very helpful if worked through slowly. For those in a vulnerable or damaged relationship, these concepts can be processed with a couple's counselor and your partner.

San Diego has been chosen as a roll out city for 25 year study on children and maternal health.The National Children's Study is seeking women between the age of 18-49 who are pregnant or plan to be pregnant in the next few years.

The National Children’s Study will examine the effects of the environment, as broadly defined to include factors such as air, water, diet, sound, family dynamics, community and cultural influences, and genetics on the growth, development, and health of children across the United States, following them from before birth until age 21 years. The goal of the Study is to improve the health and well-being of children and contribute to understanding the role various factors have on health and disease. Findings from the Study will be made available as the research progresses, making potential benefits known to the public as soon as possible. The National Children’s Study is:

data-driven

community and participant informed.

evidence-based

1.22.2011

Premarital Counseling. Yes, it Really Helps"Too often, those considering premarital education or counseling view it as a chore, rather than a privilege. But premarital preparation is one of the most powerful tools for ensuring the love you and your currently partner feel continues throughout a lifetime."

"Social Media
Social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter account for nearly 23 percent of our time spent online, according to Nielsen. Social media combines communication and gadgetry, appealing to both women and men. But women are the most avid users of social media. According to Oxygen Media and Lightspeed Research, among women age 18-34:

39% refer to themselves as Facebook “addicts”

34% get on Facebook first thing in the morning (before going to the bathroom or brushing their teeth)

21% check Facebook in the middle of the night

Internet/Email
Some people enjoy being connected electronically as much as they do physically. The effect is similar to playing a slot machine, according to David Greenfield, psychologist and founder of the Center of Internet Behavior. A response such as winning money reinforces and validates your original behavior. You may not win every time, but odds are you’ll eventually get something good. The same goes for checking your email 20 times a day or visiting countless websites. We get a shot of dopamine (a pleasure chemical) too, prompting us to crave more, more." Read more here

1.17.2011

The answers could help inoculate both combat veterans and civilians against potentially debilitating bouts of trauma-induced stress.

“It’s a really exciting time. This idea of resilience — we are just starting to scratch the surface,” said Steven Thorp from the Post-traumatic Stress Disorders Clinical Team at the San Diego VA Healthcare System and a research psychologist with the UCSD.

1.09.2011

Anxiety and depression are persistent psychological disorders, often a person with a history of depression will recognize that symptoms are lasting longer and with greater intensity. Empirical data strongly indicates that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is the most effective at diminishing symptoms, once and for all. University of California, San Diego, is a leading force in the area of Mindfulness Based Therapy. Classes are offered to the public, taught by a professional and clinical team, including the Psychiatry staff and accompanying faculty. This class is well-regarded as solid science, intended for serious-minded persons. I cannot recommend it enough for those experiencing insomnia, chronic pain, anxiety, post-trauma, or depression.

The first class session is considered an orientation/informational session.

Let's Talk Parenting Taboos:
A humorous and touching perspective on parenting and how couples navigate the birth of a child, the loss of a child, and how just plain difficult it all is to admit! I especially enjoyed the graphs on male vs. female perspective.